MILWAUKEE -- Marquette guard Jake Thomas got off the plane and immediately wanted to get back on a basketball court.

He was looking to get over the sting of the double-overtime loss this week to Providence, a defeat that didn't help the Golden Eagles' shaky chances of extending their run of eight straight NCAA tournaments.

Thomas and the other seniors want their final regular-season game, Saturday at home against St. John's, to be a turning point.

"Hopefully, my favorite memory will be turning my season around," Thomas said when asked to look back on his career. "Hopefully, it's yet to come."

At 17-13 overall and 9-8 in the Big East, Marquette faces a tough task returning to the NCAAs. Coach Buzz Williams' team had an opportunity to make a statement the past week on the road, but lost by 17 at Villanova before losing an 81-80 heartbreaker at Providence.

Forward Davante Gardner figures the Golden Eagles will need three wins, starting with Saturday against the Red Storm and two in the Big East tournament next week. St. John's (19-11, 9-8) will also be looking to beef up its postseason resume.